PHILADELPHIA -- Looking weary but composed, Austin Fischer emerged from the final post-game locker room chat of his career with the Delaware County Christian School boys basketball team Friday night.

The senior center had gone toe-to-toe with the taller, exceptionally talented athletes from District 12 champion Roberts Vaux. Not only had he lived to tell about it, Fischer was even able to manage a smile.

"We came in knowing this was a great team we were facing," Fischer said. "We weren't scared, but we knew that this could be our last game together."

Fischer displayed toughness at both ends of the floor in finishing with a game-high 14 points, nine rebounds and one block, but he was correct in that it was the Knights' final game of the season.

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Vaux used its speed and ballhawking defense to pull away in the second half, winning the PIAA Class A tournament opening-round game, 63-42, in front of a lively and boisterous crowd at Germantown High.

"We took on the challenge, and I'm really proud of these guys," said Delco Christian coach Don Davis. "I thought they were courageous. They showed a lot of heart and character and their mentality was perfect for this type of game."

While Vaux (20-8) appeared more interested in bringing the fans out of their seats with attempts at highlight-reel plays early on, the Knights (19-9) held their own by patiently working through the fullcourt press and finding enough baskets to keep the score close.

But senior forward Ron Burrell picked up three fouls in the first 5 minutes, 22 seconds and headed to the bench with Delco Christian trailing by just five.

Fischer responded with a pair of inside baskets, including a pretty left-handed reverse from under the backboard that momentarily halted a Vaux run.

The Cougars put together a 10-0 run over the end of the second quarter and the start of the third, though, and the lead suddenly grew to 17 points.

Burrell fouled out with 2:44 to go in the third quarter, and Vaux really began to pour it on.

"We knew what to expect from them and I thought we handled the pressure early, but then we broke down against the press as the game wore on," Fischer said.

Delco Christian went almost exclusively with six players for most of the game. Henry Miller scrambled for 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal, Jerome Staley came up with eight points and seven rebounds and Austin Stephens produced six points and four rebounds.

Vaux received scoring from nine players, led by Daron Johnson's 13 points, but Cougars star senior guard Rysheed Jordan was relatively ineffective in finishing with four points (one field goal), four rebounds, two steals and a pair of assists.

That was little consolation for the Knights' early exit from the state tournament, yet Davis left the gym looking ahead to a potential return trip.

"These guys love each other and their rallying cry was to give everything they had for each other," Davis said. "This team is leaving a legacy to be proud of and also a foundation that we can build on."